Performing at Cary Hall, the cult-favorite duo were remarkably low-key, ceding the limelight to the Martignetti, who was releasing his new book, “Lunatic Heroes,” the first release from the nascent Boston-based indie publishing house, 3 Swallys Press.

“Lunatic Heroes” details anecdotes and colorful characters from Martignetti's past, particularly stories from his youth in Lexington, centering on his large, Italian family. Tuesday, he shared two of the stories: “Force Fed,” which detailed his youthful aversion to eating, and related that to issues of family and Catholicism, and the exceedingly gripping “Swamp,” about a bullfrog in the swamp behind his childhood home, and what it came to mean to him. The stories meander pleasantly, sprinkled liberally with wide-eyed innocence and the shimmering details of life that only children seem to catch. But beneath that is always a glowering emotional pool, an emotional resonance and vulnerability that makes each pang and heartbreak detailed come alive.

Martignetti — who is wrestling with cancer — is an extremely captivating reader, with a Garrison Keillor-esque manner and charm that's down-to-earth without being hokey. There's a great deal of sincerity in his voice when he reads, and he's able to maintain energy and presence for the length of a story, which is a rare gift in a prose writer. Gaiman does that just about better than anyone, so it's a blessing to have two such readers on one bill. Moreover, Martignetti was completely forthcoming with the feelings evoked by the stories, with emotion burbling up heavily toward the end of “Swamp,” almost threatening to overtake the performance. But it didn't, and instead the audience was presented with a moment that was cathartic and enormously moving.

Palmer and Gaiman, of course, were wonderful. Gaiman debuted a chapter from his forthcoming novel, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” and dueted a cute rendition of the song “Makin' Whoopee” with his wife. Palmer read her introduction to the book and played a few other songs on ukulele, including her rendition of Radiohead's “Creep” and a surprise duet with gypsy punk fan-favorite (and her partner in “Evelyn Evelyn”) Jason Webley. All lovely, and more than enough to satiate any hard-core fans who might, otherwise, have felt the victim of a bait-and-switch.

But really, it was nice to see the titans take a back seat to the local guy, and great to see them use their fame to draw attention to a captivating writer who might otherwise have remained obscure. Make no mistake: there were treats galore from each of the trio, but Martignetti was, undeniably, the star. (Victor D. Infante)